A Guided 4-Day Mountain Bike Adventure with Colorado Mountain Expeditions
Fully Supported Slackpacking Trip | Colorado Trail Segments 25–28 | August 18–24
Ride the Colorado Trail — Fully Supported
Experience one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain bike adventures on this fully supported, four-day slackpacking trip. Covering nearly 100% singletrack, riders will enjoy flowing trails, technical descents, and challenging climbs set against breathtaking high-country scenery. Daily rides are manageable, ranging from 17.5 to 21 miles, with each expected to take 4 to 7 hours depending on pace. Riders are free to ride at their own speed, while a sweep guide follows at the back to provide minor bike repairs, first aid, and guidance when needed. This ensures every rider can fully enjoy the trail at a comfortable pace.
The four-day journey totals 75 miles of pure Colorado Trail singletrack, offering a mix of high-alpine vistas, pristine forests, and remote backcountry riding. Each day provides a rewarding combination of climbing, descending, and technical singletrack that will leave riders feeling accomplished and inspired.
This is a slackpacking adventure designed to let riders fully focus on the trail and the experience, rather than being weighed down by heavy gear. Riders carry only the essentials needed for the day: lunch, snacks, rain gear with riding layers, a personal first aid kit, a small bike repair kit, and water. All overnight gear, including tents, sleeping systems, and personal bags, is transported between camps by Colorado Mountain Expeditions.
Slackpacking allows riders to enjoy light, nimble days on the trail, making it easier to tackle climbs, flow through technical sections, and truly immerse themselves in the scenery. Without the burden of a full pack, riders can move more freely, maintain energy throughout the day, and focus on the joy of riding. At the end of each ride, your gear will be waiting for you at camp, ready for you to relax, set up your tent, and unwind while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow riders.
Camp Comfort and Meals
After each day’s ride, riders arrive at fully supported camps where personal gear has already been delivered. Riders set up their own tents, then settle into camp life. The guest tent serves as a welcoming living room with chairs for all riders, a cooler stocked with drinks like Gatorade, soda, and sparkling water, and a BYOB cooler for beer or wine brought on the first day. A coffee and tea bar is available at breakfast and in the evening, and a variety of card games and small activities provide a fun way to connect with fellow riders.
The kitchen tent is where guides prepare fresh, hearty meals to fuel and refuel riders. Breakfast is a hot continental buffet featuring proteins and carbohydrates, with a packed hot breakfast on Day 1 served in the shuttle to the trailhead. Lunches include made-to-order sandwiches (deli meats and cheeses or peanut butter and jelly), plus fresh fruits, vegetables, and a variety of trail snacks. Dinner is a warm, flavorful meal designed to restore energy and celebrate the day’s ride. Riders with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian needs, are fully accommodated. All meals are thoughtfully prepared to be both energizing and delicious.
Weather
During mid to late August in the Durango area, the weather is generally favorable for mountain biking, with warm days and cool nights typical of high‑country summer conditions. Average daytime temperatures tend to be in the low to mid‑70s °F (about 70–80°F), while nighttime lows often drop into the 50s °F, making mornings and evenings refreshing.
Although August is still part of the monsoon season in southwestern Colorado, precipitation usually comes as brief afternoon showers or thunderstorms, especially at higher elevations. Sunny periods typically dominate the day, with long daylight hours giving plenty of time for riding and enjoying the scenery.
Because this is mountain weather at elevation, conditions can vary noticeably between lower and higher terrain. Temperatures will be cooler at altitude, and thunderstorms can develop quickly in the afternoon. To help riders avoid the highest risk of storms, rides will start early in the morning, allowing most of the day’s riding to be completed well before afternoon thunderstorm activity is most likely.
Who This Trip is For
This adventure is perfect for experienced mountain bikers who love singletrack, enjoy a challenge, and want to experience the Colorado Trail in style. Riders should be comfortable with moderate to advanced climbs, descents, and technical terrain. Daily distances and pacing are designed to be achievable while allowing riders to fully savor the trail.
Riders will enjoy fully supported slackpacking, immersive high-country scenery, evenings relaxing at camp, and the satisfaction of completing nearly continuous singletrack across some of Colorado’s most iconic trails. Those concerned about pace or skill level can rest assured that sweep support, guidance, and flexible riding make this trip accessible to a range of confident riders.
Meeting Information
Riders will meet at the Durango Transit Center on Day 1. Bikes and bags will be loaded into the shuttle, and the group will depart once all gear is packed and ready for the ride. Riding will begin shortly after arriving at the trailhead. Riders may either be dropped off or leave a vehicle at the Transit Center for the duration of the trip, with a parking pass purchased the day before. More detailed information is available under the Meeting Logistics Tab.
Rentals
If you need to rent gear for this trip, we’ve got you covered.
For overnight equipment like tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, you can rent directly from Colorado Mountain Expeditions. We carry quality camping gear that works well with this adventure and takes the guesswork out of packing. Just visit our rentals page for details and pricing.
If you’re looking to rent a mountain bike, we recommend two trusted local shops in Durango that offer a range of high‑quality mountain bikes and accessories:
Pedal The Peaks
2nd Ave Sports
Both shops are convieniently located less than a mile from our meeting location, the Durango Transit Center, and have friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right bike, get properly fitted, and set you up with pedals, helmets, and other accessories you might need. Don't forget, we're meeting at 6am, long before the bike shops open for the day. You should plan to pickup the bike the day before our trip starts.
Ready to ride the Colorado Trail like never before? Spots are limited, and this unforgettable adventure will fill quickly. Reserve your place today and experience the thrill, challenge, and beauty of the Colorado high country with expert guides and full camp support.
Dates: August 18–24
Location: Durango Colorado (Colorado Trail Segments 25–28)
Total Trip Cost: $1,850 per rider
Deposit: $500 to reserve your spot
Remaining Balance Due: 90 days before trip start date
The four-day Colorado Trail mountain bike adventure covers a total of 75 miles, with each day offering a manageable but rewarding ride. Riders will enjoy a mix of challenging climbs, thrilling descents, and nearly continuous singletrack. Each ride is expected to take between 4 and 7 hours, allowing riders to enjoy the trail at their own pace with full guidance and support along the way.
Click to view a map of each days ride.


Meeting and Departure Logistics
Day 1 Meeting Details
Location: Durango Transit Center - 250 W 8th St, Durango, CO 81301
Meeting Time: 6:00 AM
Riders may either be dropped off at the Transit Center or choose to leave a vehicle parked there for the duration of the trip.
Parking Options
A parking pass must be purchased in-person from the City of Durango. Parking passes can only be purchased between 9am and 5pm. You should plan to purchase your parking pass the day before the start of the trip.
If leaving a car at the Transit Center:
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A parking pass must be purchased the day before
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The pass must be displayed in the vehicle
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Plan ahead to ensure a smooth morning departure
View info about parking at the Durango Transit Center on the City of Durango's Website.
Departure Schedule
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Bikes and bags will be loaded on the morning of Day 1
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Depart the parking lot by 6:30 AM sharp
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Shuttle to Molas Pass, with riding beginning at approximately 7:30 AM
Recommended Hotels (Night Before or After)
Because of the early meeting time, we strongly recommend staying in Durango the night before the trip or after the trip if you would like to enjoy the town. These hotels are very close (less than a mile) to the Transit Center, making them a good option for riders who are flying into Durango.
Double Tree
Holiday Inn Express
The Strater Hotel
The General Palmer Hotel
Nobody's Inn
Durango rooms fill quickly during peak season, so we encourage riders to book early.
Ending the Trip
We plan to finish the ride and return to the Durango Transit Center between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on the final day, providing flexibility for riders. Those returning to Denver will have time for the approximately seven-hour drive. Alternatively, riders may choose to stay in Durango and enjoy the town after the trip.
Meeting Logistics – Flying In
For riders flying into Durango for the Colorado Trail mountain bike adventure, the nearest airport is Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO). The airport is located just outside of town, so after landing, riders will need to arrange transportation into Durango. Options include local taxi services or shuttle companies. Ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft may work in Durango, but availability is not guaranteed. Mountain towns of Colorado typcially do not have reliable app-based ride-share services. Shuttle information can be found here.
For a smooth start to your trip, we recommend planning your arrival the night before your first day on the trail. This ensures you have enough time to reach the area near the Durango Transit Center, settle in, get your rental bike, and prepare for an early departure.
If you have any questions about flights, local transportation, or shuttle logistics, riders can contact:
Dan Weida
info@ColoradoMountainExpeditions.com
970-531-0963.
Welcome to Your Colorado Trail Mountain Bike Adventure
After 25 years of guiding hiking trips along the Colorado Trail, Colorado Mountain Expeditions is thrilled to now offer guided mountain bike trips on the trail we love most. This will be the trip of a lifetime, combining the most beautiful trail in the world, full camp support, and the thrill of high-country singletrack.
If you have any questions about this trip, future trips, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can contact CME owner, Dan Weida, directly at info@ColoradoMountainExpeditions.com or 970-531-0963.
We look forward to seeing you on the trail!